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  Fire suppression systemUSPTO Application #: 20070114046Title: Fire suppression system Abstract: A fire suppressant system having a pipe system, spray nozzles connected to the pipe system and a control system for selectively charging the pipe system with foam. The control system includes a pilot line for generating a signal based upon sensing an environmental parameter and a first control valve for activating the system based upon the signal. Preferably, the first control valve forms i) an interior cavity for mixing the compressed air and compressed air liquid, ii) an outlet in fluid communication with the interior; iii) a first inlet, oriented substantially perpendicular to a flow through the outlet, in fluid communication with the interior and the compressed air; and iv) a second inlet, oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow, in fluid communication with the interior and the compressed air liquid. (end of abstract) Agent: Edwards & Angell, LLP - Boston, MA, US Inventor: David B. Munroe USPTO Applicaton #: 20070114046 - Class: 169016000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Fire Extinguishers, Fluid Systems, Distributing Systems The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070114046. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/737,918, filed Nov. 18, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/764,501 filed Feb. 1, 2006, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The subject disclosure relates to systems for automatic fire suppression, and more particularly to an improved system for automatically delivering compressed air foam (CAF) to a hazard area that is typically difficult to safely and properly access. The systems are also effective for delivering foam and like substances to cover and control biohazards. [0004] 2. Background of the Related Art [0005] For centuries, man has battled unwanted fires. As technology has developed, the fire fighting techniques have matured from the bucket brigade to highly specialized vehicles, systems and chemicals. However, in many instances such as off-shore drilling platforms, boats, bulldozers and the like, access to water distribution networks or access by firefighting vehicles is not available along with other technical challenges. When a fire is relatively small, use of portable fire extinguishers is common. Further, depending upon the source of the fire, water may not be an appropriate agent for suppression. As such, emergency vehicles and portable extinguishers often deliver foam, non-water solutions, water with chemical additives for additional suppression capability and the like. [0006] Use of portable extinguishers from hand-held versions and larger cart-like versions have been widely used and well understood in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,881,817 and 6,089,324 to Mahrt, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, disclose a portable fire suppression system using cold compressed air foam. The portable system includes a manifold with a mixing chamber for expanding and accelerating the foam through the manifold by injecting cold compressed air adjacent the manifold inlet and at a 68 degree angle relative to the flow direction. [0007] Technology continues to evolve in the area of fire suppression. An exemplary technique is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,225 to Crampton (the Crampton patent), which is incorporated herein by reference. The Crampton patent discloses a rotary nozzle for a CAF fire extinguishing system. In a preferred embodiment, two orifices of unequal size are provided on opposite sides of the lower part of a tubular barrel with closed ends. As a result of the asymmetrical disposition of the two orifices with respect to the axis of rotation of the barrel, jets are directed downwards, tangentially to the axis of rotation of the barrel, causing the barrel to rotate about its axis. [0008] Another exemplary device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,463 to Ponte (the Ponte patent), which is incorporated herein by reference. The Ponte patent discloses a concealed or covered sprinkler for a conventional (e.g., water-supplied) fire prevention system. When the ambient temperature exceeds the melting point of a solder joint, leaf springs force the sprinkler cover open and, moreover, when the ambient temperature exceeds the release temperature of a thermally responsive structure, a lever structure forces a cap from an orifice through which pressurized water is forced. [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,113 to Pierce, incorporated herein by reference, discloses an automatic foam fire extinguishing system comprising a source of pressurized foam, a distribution system for distributing air and the foam, and a plurality of sprinkler heads that dispense the air and foam. [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,441,086 to Barnes, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a water-powered fire-fighting foam generator and a dispensing nozzle. In a preferred embodiment, pressurized foam solution travels through a passageway into a pair of reaction nozzles that spray the foam solution onto the inner surface of a perforated, cylindrical wall. The force of the solution causes the reaction nozzles and, consequently, the axial flow fan to rotate. As the axial flow fan rotates, it forces air down and then radially outward through the perforations in the cylindrical wall. [0011] Further, advances in technology are often gained by study and use of hazardous or infectious materials such as carcinogens and active virus cultures. As a result of handling such highly toxic and/or dangerous substances, suppression systems are needed to cover and/or control such substances. Although effective suppressants have been developed, an improved system for delivering these suppressants is needed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] Despite these advances, there are problems associated with the prior art. Manual fire extinguishers are very mobile but if the fire is consuming the area, danger, injury and even death must be risked by the personnel in their efforts to deploy the fire suppressant. Further, the delivery mechanism have control mechanisms that are unduly complex and damage the fire suppressing properties of CAF when passed therethrough. [0013] In view of the above, there is a need for an improved fire suppression system which automatically activates with a simple, effective and reliable trigger mechanism to remove the danger of human operation. Further, a fire suppression system that is fully mobile for application on boats, other vehicles and locations without access to water distribution. Preferably, the system has a simple yet effective control mechanism for activation. Moreover, the system would prevent significant property damage. Preferably, the fire suppression system delivers a clean agent such as CAF that will cling to vertical surfaces and cools to prevent reflash. Further, a nozzle for delivering CAF and use in the trigger mechanism that has reliable operation in response to a change in an environmental parameter would be an improvement over the prior art. [0014] In another embodiment, the system is used to cover and control one or more biohazards in an environment such as a laboratory. [0015] In another embodiment, the system is design to vigorously generate CAF for release while being a simple and efficient design. [0016] In one embodiment, the system distributes foam over a hazard area and includes a pipe system, a plurality of spray nozzles connected to the pipe system for delivering a pattern of the fire suppressant to the hazard area and a control system connected to the pipe system for selectively charging the pipe system with the foam, wherein the control system includes a pilot line connected to the control system for generating a signal based upon sensing at least one environmental parameter and a first control valve for activating the system based upon the signal. Preferably, the environmental parameter is selected from the group consisting of heat, smoke, CO.sub.2 level and combinations thereof. It is further preferably that the first control valve forms i) an interior cavity for mixing the compressed air and compressed air liquid, ii) an outlet in fluid communication with the interior; iii) a first inlet, oriented substantially perpendicular to a flow through the outlet, in fluid communication with the interior and the compressed air; and iv) a second inlet, oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow, in fluid communication with the interior and the compressed air liquid. [0017] It should be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways, including without limitation as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device, and a method for applications now known and later developed. These and other unique features of the system disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed system appertains will more readily understand how to make and use the same, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings. [0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for distributing a suppressant over a hazard area in accordance with the subject technology. [0020] FIG. 2 illustrates still another system for distributing a suppressant over a hazard area in accordance with the subject technology. Continue reading... Full patent description for Fire suppression system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Fire suppression system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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